Jones accepts blame for dramatic fall

Three-time Olympic champion Marion Jones admits she has "nobody to blame but myself" after pleading guilty to lying to US government investigators when she denied using performance-enhancing drugs.

Jones, the former golden girl of American athletics who won five medals at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, also confirmed her retirement from athletics after admitting she lied to a federal investigator in November 2003 when he asked if she had used performance-enhancing drugs.

Jones, 32, who also pleaded guilty to a second count of lying to investigators about her association with a cheque-fraud conspiracy, said: "I have been dishonest. I have nobody to blame but myself. I have let them down, let myself down and let my country down."

She added: "It is with a great amount of shame that I tell you I have betrayed your trust.

"I want all of you to know I pleaded guilty to two counts of making false statements to federal agents. Making these false statements to federal agents was incredibly stupid and I am fully responsible for my actions."